Franchise Tag & Joe Flacco

Conquest8089 · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 2478

Simply- Regardless of what happens in the Playoffs, Does the Franchise Tag make sense for Joe Flacco in 2013?

Thoughts?
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coordinator0 · Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 5873

No. The Ravens will already be close to the cap (Lewis retiring helps in that regard) after they tender their RFAs and EFAs so franchise tagging anybody should be avoided. I really think it's inevitable that Flacco gets a long-term deal in Baltimore so the sooner the better.

gooselovechild · Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Posts: 2204

It doesn't make sense from a cap perspective, but it could very well happen.

With the lack of quality QBs in the draft and free agency this year, there is no way Joe hits the market. But we may need to use the tag to buy more time to work out a deal.

diamondbull424 · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 10017 Location: Baltimore, MD

If the franchise tag stays at the $14.5m that is projected, then I don't really think it makes much difference. Flacco is going to be getting paid about $14m a season anyway. I think the most the tag will do is buy us some time to work something out long term. But, in the end, I don't think it would serve to lessen our cap blow much and I certainly don't think we use it as a device to "see if Flacco is 'worthy' of paying him long term"... if the Ravens don't know what they have, or believe they have, after five seasons... then they will never know... and in that case, allowing him to walk outright and re-starting the QB carousel is their only other solution.

Prolonging the inevitable with a QB they're not comfortable with isn't going to do them any good in the long term.
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Conquest8089 · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 2478

Flacco made one Great throw today, the 48 yard hookup to Anquan Boldwin. Really changed the game.

The play of Paul Kruger really gives the Ravens a dilemma. He was the most impactful player on a Defense with possibly 4 HOF guys. Exceptional off the edge.
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I'd Select Ziggy Ansah 1st Overall

diamondbull424 · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 10017 Location: Baltimore, MD

Mancunian Raven · Joined: 09 Oct 2012 Posts: 511

Flacco has to get paid. Simple as that, really. While he may not be playing at an elite level, week in, week out, the Ravens would be completely boned without him.

I don't like the idea of letting Kruger walk at all, but if it's a choice between him and Flacco, then there is no choice. If Kruger gets offered a boatload of money and decides he wants to take it, then that's what he's entitled to do. I'd like to think he'd at least consider any offer the Ravens make, especially in light of him seeing how wonderfully this organisation treats the players who stay loyal to them, but you never know. And it will be a business decision, unfortunately.

The one that would really annoy me would be seeing Ellerbe walk, because I think he's going to be a starter next season, whether in Baltimore or somewhere else. I'd much rather see McClain traded to someone who desperately needs an ILB.

How much cap space would be needed to get Flacco signed and then use the franchise tag on Kruger? More to the point, how many players would need to be let go to do that? Ray Ray, McKinnie and Bobbie Williams will all be gone. Possibly Ed Reed, Birk and Boldin too. Possibly Jacoby Jones.
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Flaccomania · Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 16541 Location: Parkville, MD

sp6488 · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 6230 Location: MD